White Bean Quesadillas

I have a new favorite mid-day meal.  I never tried quesadillas before, and I am not sure why, but with a creamy inside and crunchy outside, these make for a good, quick lunch.    I was flipping through a vegan cookbook of mine and found a recipe for white bean quesadillas.  The problem was the only ingredient I had on hand was the white beans.  So I had to come up with my own version and I...

Apple Pie Porridge

I have never been one to like oatmeal.  It just seems too mushy to me.  But I know it has health benefits like high amounts of fiber, little fat, and no sodium or cholesterol that I should be enjoying.  That is why I decided to try steel cut oats.  Steel cut oats are oats that have been cut, not rolled and I think of it as less refined than the rolled oats.  They are not mushy, but have...

How To Make Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

I do not know if you could find a jar in the spice isle called “Jamaican Jerk Seasoning.”  I have never seen one.  But I do know that if you did it would probably be expensive.  And here’s another thing about spices, as I just realized (again).  They may contain milk, wheat or soy, or other food allergens.    That may sound crazy, but yesterday I found that very statement on the...

Italian Bean Soup

Today’s soup is easy peasy!  Everything is put into the crockpot and then you can forget about it.  Another great thing about this soup is that it makes a huge batch.  So if you have a large family, you wouldn’t have to double it, and if you have a smaller family you can freeze half.  That is what I do.  I make a crockpot full and freeze half (it freezes well).  This is a great...

Pineapple Peach Smoothie

Since smoothies are big hit around my house I thought it would be time to share another one.  This one is so yummy you will want to guzzle it.    It’s creamy, thick, delicious and best of all, it is milk free! And even better, it has spinach in it.  What a better way to get that great leafy green in your diet than through a smoothie!  I have already written about the benefits of...

Roasted Dill Carrots

Vegetables used to be boring at my house.  They were usually of the frozen variety…cooked in the microwave.  Can we say “blah?”  Yep.  But about a year ago, I decided to put more effort into our vegetables.  It was worth it.  Vegetables can actually be very good if cooked right, and if you do something other than microwave them.  I now buy almost all our vegetables fresh with the...

Creamy Vegi Vegan Dip

It has been a little more than two years since I went off milk and egg products.  Yet, I just now found (or I shall say adapted) a creamy vegi dip.  I have never been one to use a lot of dips, but when you cannot have them all of a sudden you seem to want one.   This is quite easy and tasty; I really do not know what took me so long to get one in my recipe collection. For any of you parents...

Frozen Chocolate Bananas

Fall might be here, but that does not mean that frozen treats have to go by the wayside.   And they can be healthy too!  These frozen bananas covered in chocolate and crushed cereal are a perfect after school snack or even morning breakfast treat.   I have seen a version of these pre-made in a store, but making them yourself would be so much more affordable.  And it is so easy.  It only...

How to Make Homemade Applesauce-A Picture Tutorial

Homemade applesauce is delicious. In fact, it far outweighs the taste of store bought applesauce.  And nutrition wise, homemade applesauce doesn’t even compare to store bought.  I grew up making our own applesauce, so it was only natural to continue that tradition. So, why should you make your own homemade applesauce?  Let us count the ways.  It is nutritionally sound.  Homemade...

Black Bean and Squash Chili

Autumn is in the air today where I live.  A clear sky, cool temps, and a light breeze require a sweatshirt.  But after the horribly hot summer this weather is very much welcome.  And did you know that today also marks the first day of autumn on the calendar?  And what comes to mind when thinking about food at this time of year?  Soups and stews.  Be ready.  I love cooking stews and...